"Not murdered. Sacrificed. For her." That's the whole thing, isn't it, a man relabeling what he's done so he can live with it. And letting the ritual seem to fail before she answers was a smart move, the panic made the payoff hit. The dead oracle's eyes that won't close stayed with me too. Strong, ominous open.
Thank you, Kos! And yep—you got it. This whole series is dark fantasy on the surface, but it’s really about grief. The different forms it takes. And what it makes us do. And how we rationalize it.
I’m happy to hear that the payoff landed! That was a suggestion made by the wonderful Gilded Pleasures. 💜✨
A corpse with open eyes haunts me too. You can see their eyes but not the light in it.
I didn’t pick up on that. Solid insight. Subtext is something I’ve been trying harder to convey in my own work. Sometimes the space between words speaks volumes.
This is gorgeous and I could not stop reading. I am so used to thinking through and writing futile sacrifice that an ANSWERED one takes on fresh potency. This book is going to be fabulous.
A semantic detail that gave me joy - the right-hand downstroke on the R is so faint it almost makes the letter look like a capital Rho. I loved that!
I am so glad you enjoyed this surprise drop, Stephen! I have been working on this one longer than anything I’ve written so far.
Started it and stopped it a lot—totally lost the manuscript when my laptop gave out about 6 years ago. Started it again. Revamped it. Realized what the story is actually about and started pouring my grief into it.
Lmao—yes, the hand. I tried to correct that, but Chat was not being cooperative. 😂
This was perfect timing for me to start reading your Substack! Excellent writing. I was sucked right into the story and pulled along by the story in a blazing fury of blood and shadow. This little 5 min read is chock full of lore, backstory, and characterization and none of it stands out as exposition because we are experiencing every moment as part of the action. Very well done!
One of my biggest goals with Oracle was to let the worldbuilding reveal itself through the characters and the momentum of the scene instead of stopping the story for explanations.
I’m really glad Mazir’s perspective kept everything feeling immediate rather than expository.
Thanks for taking the time to read and leave such thoughtful feedback. I can’t wait to share where the story goes next!
This was a really strong opening. I loved the dark atmosphere, the ritual imagery, and the sense that something ancient and terrible has just been awakened. Mazir already feels like an interesting character because you can feel both his guilt and his conviction. The ending especially made me want to know what happens next. Great work! :)
I’m really glad the guilt and conviction both came through. One of the things that fascinates me about Mazir is that he isn’t twirling a mustache while doing something evil. He genuinely believes he’s making a sacrifice for a greater good, and that tension between sincere faith and terrible actions sits at the heart of a lot of Oracle.
I’m also happy the atmosphere landed for you. I wanted the ritual to feel ancient, unsettling, and larger than any one person involved in it, as though everyone present had stepped into something far older than themselves.
And yes… something has definitely awakened. Whether that’s a blessing, a curse, or the worst possible answer to a prayer remains to be seen. 😉
Thank you for reading and taking the time to leave a comment!
Thank you for such a thoughtful reply. That’s exactly what came through to me — Mazir doesn’t feel like someone doing evil just for the sake of evil, which makes him much more interesting.
Also, no pressure at all, but I write dark fantasy/horror myself, and I’d be grateful if you ever have time to take a look at one of my openings. I’d be happy to read more of your work as well!😊
Hey Cody! I'll just say the intricate level of detail into the ritual, the actions of the cultists and Mazir, the short snippets of flashbacks all work amazingly well in this 5 minute read. You succeeded in diving into Mazir's psychology, and in a way, I could feel his rage, grief, and doubt over what he had just done. Like he somewhat regrets initiating the sacrifice, yet at the same time he seeks vengeance for all those that wronged him? Or he's trying to make up whatever reason to justify his actions. These contradictions and conflicting emotions make him a compelling character!
Like the other commenters, I wanted to know what happens next, but I think you made the smart move to end the prologue where you did. That way, readers will be compelled to continue reading and wanting more.
Great job! I look forward to reading more of story!
You picked up on exactly what I was hoping would come through with Mazir.
In his mind, he’s absolutely convinced this is an act of justice. But conviction and righteousness aren’t always the same thing, and I wanted that little bit of horror, doubt, and self-justification to linger beneath the surface of every choice he makes.
One of the questions Oracle keeps coming back to is whether a good intention can survive the terrible things we do in pursuit of it.
I’m really glad the ending landed for you, too. It was very tempting to keep going, but sometimes stopping at the moment the door opens is more powerful than showing what’s on the other side.
Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to leave such thoughtful feedback!
Well, congratulations. You successfully managed to distract me from my edits. I tried very hard not to get distracted, but I couldn't stop reading. Damn it, Cody! Now I need to know what happens next. ;-)
LOL! I thought you’d appreciate a short read for once. Actually thought about you when I published this one. 😂
You will definitely get her in abundance with this one. I’m excited because this one is going to explore a lot of her lore and how she influences Sphyra still.
You always make me jealous of how good you are at writing, my friend. The Tales from Sphyra has expanded, all to the better, all as a gift to readers, to the borken lovers of the dark fantasy world. ❤︎
"Not murdered. Sacrificed. For her." That's the whole thing, isn't it, a man relabeling what he's done so he can live with it. And letting the ritual seem to fail before she answers was a smart move, the panic made the payoff hit. The dead oracle's eyes that won't close stayed with me too. Strong, ominous open.
Thank you, Kos! And yep—you got it. This whole series is dark fantasy on the surface, but it’s really about grief. The different forms it takes. And what it makes us do. And how we rationalize it.
I’m happy to hear that the payoff landed! That was a suggestion made by the wonderful Gilded Pleasures. 💜✨
A corpse with open eyes haunts me too. You can see their eyes but not the light in it.
I didn’t pick up on that. Solid insight. Subtext is something I’ve been trying harder to convey in my own work. Sometimes the space between words speaks volumes.
Space between words is the best.
Right? That’s one of my main focuses right now as a writer. If you get a chance check out my publication and let me know how I’m doing.
Saved episode 1 to read later.
This is gorgeous and I could not stop reading. I am so used to thinking through and writing futile sacrifice that an ANSWERED one takes on fresh potency. This book is going to be fabulous.
A semantic detail that gave me joy - the right-hand downstroke on the R is so faint it almost makes the letter look like a capital Rho. I loved that!
I am so glad you enjoyed this surprise drop, Stephen! I have been working on this one longer than anything I’ve written so far.
Started it and stopped it a lot—totally lost the manuscript when my laptop gave out about 6 years ago. Started it again. Revamped it. Realized what the story is actually about and started pouring my grief into it.
Lmao—yes, the hand. I tried to correct that, but Chat was not being cooperative. 😂
This was perfect timing for me to start reading your Substack! Excellent writing. I was sucked right into the story and pulled along by the story in a blazing fury of blood and shadow. This little 5 min read is chock full of lore, backstory, and characterization and none of it stands out as exposition because we are experiencing every moment as part of the action. Very well done!
Thank you so much! That means a lot to hear.
One of my biggest goals with Oracle was to let the worldbuilding reveal itself through the characters and the momentum of the scene instead of stopping the story for explanations.
I’m really glad Mazir’s perspective kept everything feeling immediate rather than expository.
Thanks for taking the time to read and leave such thoughtful feedback. I can’t wait to share where the story goes next!
This was a really strong opening. I loved the dark atmosphere, the ritual imagery, and the sense that something ancient and terrible has just been awakened. Mazir already feels like an interesting character because you can feel both his guilt and his conviction. The ending especially made me want to know what happens next. Great work! :)
Thank you so much! 😊
I’m really glad the guilt and conviction both came through. One of the things that fascinates me about Mazir is that he isn’t twirling a mustache while doing something evil. He genuinely believes he’s making a sacrifice for a greater good, and that tension between sincere faith and terrible actions sits at the heart of a lot of Oracle.
I’m also happy the atmosphere landed for you. I wanted the ritual to feel ancient, unsettling, and larger than any one person involved in it, as though everyone present had stepped into something far older than themselves.
And yes… something has definitely awakened. Whether that’s a blessing, a curse, or the worst possible answer to a prayer remains to be seen. 😉
Thank you for reading and taking the time to leave a comment!
Thank you for such a thoughtful reply. That’s exactly what came through to me — Mazir doesn’t feel like someone doing evil just for the sake of evil, which makes him much more interesting.
Also, no pressure at all, but I write dark fantasy/horror myself, and I’d be grateful if you ever have time to take a look at one of my openings. I’d be happy to read more of your work as well!😊
Absolutely! I’ll give you a sub!
Hey Cody! I'll just say the intricate level of detail into the ritual, the actions of the cultists and Mazir, the short snippets of flashbacks all work amazingly well in this 5 minute read. You succeeded in diving into Mazir's psychology, and in a way, I could feel his rage, grief, and doubt over what he had just done. Like he somewhat regrets initiating the sacrifice, yet at the same time he seeks vengeance for all those that wronged him? Or he's trying to make up whatever reason to justify his actions. These contradictions and conflicting emotions make him a compelling character!
Like the other commenters, I wanted to know what happens next, but I think you made the smart move to end the prologue where you did. That way, readers will be compelled to continue reading and wanting more.
Great job! I look forward to reading more of story!
Thank you! 😊
You picked up on exactly what I was hoping would come through with Mazir.
In his mind, he’s absolutely convinced this is an act of justice. But conviction and righteousness aren’t always the same thing, and I wanted that little bit of horror, doubt, and self-justification to linger beneath the surface of every choice he makes.
One of the questions Oracle keeps coming back to is whether a good intention can survive the terrible things we do in pursuit of it.
I’m really glad the ending landed for you, too. It was very tempting to keep going, but sometimes stopping at the moment the door opens is more powerful than showing what’s on the other side.
Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to leave such thoughtful feedback!
Well, congratulations. You successfully managed to distract me from my edits. I tried very hard not to get distracted, but I couldn't stop reading. Damn it, Cody! Now I need to know what happens next. ;-)
LOL! Chapter 1 will be coming soon! I’m very excited for this one. 💜
Wow, this was engrossing. I’m not really a high fantasy guy but I was hooked from start to finish.
Thanks so much, man. I really appreciate that encouragement. It’s good to know I can tip people into dark fantasy.
Wait... what a 5 minute read? Thank you! Though I was definitely wanting more by the end. Sphyra needs more ur-Dragon
LOL! I thought you’d appreciate a short read for once. Actually thought about you when I published this one. 😂
You will definitely get her in abundance with this one. I’m excited because this one is going to explore a lot of her lore and how she influences Sphyra still.
The blend of personal grief and epic stakes makes for a compelling opening. Looking forward to seeing where this story goes ❤️
Thank you so much, Aaliya! I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with everyone.
You always make me jealous of how good you are at writing, my friend. The Tales from Sphyra has expanded, all to the better, all as a gift to readers, to the borken lovers of the dark fantasy world. ❤︎
You’re amazing Hai. And writers like you keep me inspired. I am so glad you enjoyed this prologue, and again, thank you for your kindness.
I’m excited for this one! A different side of the continent from Arencourt in ABTB and almost a different world and culture entirely.